3D Printer Lights Up CES

It has been compared to a science fiction device or a piece of flat-pack from IKEA, but the Thing-O-Matic is being heralded as the world's first affordable 3D printer (well, sort of).

The Thing-O-Matic printer lit up (literally) this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, becoming one of the trade show's key talking points.

Designed by MakerBot Industries, the Thing-O-Matic looks like a quaint, antiquated device, but contains some impressive technology.

Essentially a green-glowing box with processors and wires inside, the printer connects easily up to your computer via USB, CNET UK reports. Using MakerBot's modelling software, the Thing-O-Matic will then print out your creations – in 3D.

But before you go getting any big ideas, like printing a 3D car or a house, take note: the printer can only print out objects that are up to six by six by seven inches, so you'll have to make your projects a little smaller.

Which leaves us with the price. It costs nearly £800, which according to untinkable.biz makes it affordable, but some may disagree...